A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Edinburgh vs. Nantes for Attractions, Food, Old Town, and Backpackers

Should you visit Edinburgh or Nantes?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Edinburgh and Nantes can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Edinburgh

Edinburgh is a gothic, ancient, and charming city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. It's also popular because of the theater, nightlife, and live music.

Nantes

Nantes is a historical, beautiful, and vibrant city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Edinburgh and Nantes: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Edinburgh or Nantes?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Edinburgh than Nantes, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Edinburgh is more popular for its museums, theatre productions, music, historical sights, big city activities, and quaint atmosphere, while Nantes is known for its food. Edinburgh is more touristy than Nantes and is known for its medieval Old Town, the Royal Mile, and its influence on the Harry Potter series. It is also home to The Edinburgh Castle. Nantes is popular for its castles and historical landmarks, local wine, and beautiful parks and gardens.

How is Edinburgh different from Nantes?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Nantes and Edinburgh. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Edinburgh or Nantes?

Edinburgh is an unbeatable place for its museums and history. Also, Nantes is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Edinburgh has many famous sights for visitors. The most famous sights include the Edinburgh Castle, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, and the National Museum of Scotland. There are also kid-friendly museums like Camera Obscura.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Nantes. The city is filled with historical monuments, particularly in the Bouffay District. Highlights include Cathédrale Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul, Château des Ducs de Bretagne, and the Musée d'Arts de Nantes.

Is Edinburgh or Nantes Better for Theater?

Edinburgh is a very popular place for its shows and theatre. However, Nantes is not a theatre destination.

Many visitors plan to see a show while visiting Edinburgh. It's fun to see a live performance or attend one of the festivals in town.

Nantes is not a theatre destination.

Is the Food Better in Edinburgh or Nantes? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Nantes is terrific for its restaurants. However, Edinburgh is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

Many restaurants in Nantes have been singled out for their culinary prowess. The region lends itself to unique flavors with a great mix of seafood from the Atlantic, freshwater fish from the Loire, and dairy from the surrounding countryside. The region is also famous for its wine. Local dishes that you should try include Filet de Sandre au Beurre Blanc (fresh fish in butter sauce), Crepes Bretonnes (breakfast crepes), and Le Canard Nantais (duck with Muscadet wine).

Edinburgh may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. The city has some unique but famous dishes to try including haggis and black pudding. For slightly less intimidating options, check out the cullen skink, porridge, or smoked salmon. There are many fish and chips shops to choose from as well as a diversity of ethnic restaurants including Indian, Thai, and Ethiopian.

Is Edinburgh or Nantes Better for Nightlife?

The high quality nightlife scene is relatively similar in Edinburgh and Nantes.

Edinburgh has a large number of nightlife venues. With so many students, the nightlife stays very active. There are a wide range of bars and clubs to choose from as well as some of the country's oldest pubs. Tourists tend to frequent the Old Town area, but you'll find more locals if you head to the student and university areas.

Nantes is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The large student population heavily influences the nightlife scene. You'll find a young vibe with a lot of bars and clubs to choose from, particularly around Île de Nantes.

Is Edinburgh or Nantes Better for Music?

Edinburgh is an unbeatable place for its music scene. However, Nantes is not a live music destination.

Edinburgh has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. In addition to a wide range of live music venues, there are also a number of music festivals held in town.

Nantes is not a live music destination.

Is Edinburgh or Nantes Better for its Old Town?

Edinburgh is an unbeatable place for its historic old town charm. Also, Nantes is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its historic old town.

With a famous historical old-town, Edinburgh offers plenty to see. The city's Old Town attracts international visitors who come to see the Edinburgh Castle, the quaint streets, and the many shops and cafes. The Royal Mile is a popular area with pubs and souvenir shops. It connects the castle to the Scottish Parliament.

Many visitors go to Nantes to see the historical old town. The city's old town is in the Bouffay District and it is filled with half-timbered houses and a maze of streets and shops.

Is the Shopping Better in Edinburgh or Nantes?

Shoppers can find a variety of high quality stores in both Edinburgh and Nantes.

Edinburgh is well-known for its shopping. Head to Princes Street in the New Town to visit department stores and other name brand shops. Nearby George Street has more boutique style shops and less crowds. In the Old Town, Victoria Street is filled with Harry Potter shops and tourist stores where you can pick up a kilt or Edinburgh sweatshirt.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Nantes. There are impressive shopping streets, boutique stores, and grand shopping malls. Make sure you check out Rue Crébillon, Passage Pommeraye, and the shops around the Bouffay District. Talensac Market is also a historical covered market that you can explore.

Is Edinburgh or Nantes Better for Families?

Both Edinburgh and Nantes are high quality to visit with kids.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Edinburgh is very family-friendly. Kids will enjoy wandering down Victoria Street and popping in the Harry Potter shops. There are also a number of fascinating Harry Potter tours that take you through notable landmarks where J.K. Rowling was inspired to write these popular stories. You'll even visit Tom Riddle's gravesite. Other highlights that families will enjoy include Edinburgh Castle and the Edinburgh Dungeon, which is best for older kids or kids that enjoy a good scare. Younger kids will enjoy a trip the illusions museum, Camera Obscura, which also offers one of the best views of the city.

Nantes is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. It's filled with gardens, museums, and theme parks, making it a great combination of fascinating activities for adults and kids alike. Some of the top kid-friendly activities include a visit to Machine of the Isle of Nantes (both a theme park and a museum), seeing a show at Le Lieu Unique, or experiencing Naudières Park (a smaller theme park). Kids will also enjoy seeing Goulaine Castle or wandering around Jardin Extraordinaire or the Botanical Gardens.

Is Edinburgh or Nantes Better for Couples?

Both Edinburgh and Nantes are high quality destinations for a couple's getaway.

Edinburgh makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. With its castle and the Royal Mile, there are many romantic places to explore as a couple. There are also good restaurants and some nice hotels. Whether you're interested in history, food, or fun, this city makes for a great couples trip.

Couples visit Nantes frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. There is a mix of both natural and historical beauty. Couples can enjoy a nice meal, stroll through one of the many parks and gardens, or even spend the day at the spa.

Is Edinburgh or Nantes Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Edinburgh is an unbeatable place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Nantes is lacking in good options for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Edinburgh, as it is a very popular city for budget travelers. The city has some good hostels and an active nightlife, so it's not hard to find other travelers to hang out with. It's a well visited city with many areas that attracted younger travelers or students.

Nantes is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There aren't as many hostels as you would expect in the area, so finding an affordable and social place to stay may be a bit challenging.

Is Edinburgh or Nantes Better for Students?

Edinburgh is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. Also, Nantes is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Edinburgh is a great city to visit as a student. This multicultural city is popular with international students because of its excellent research and academic centers as well as its unique history.

Nantes is popular with students. There's a decent sized student population and the city has a welcoming atmosphere. It's also easy to get around with public transportation.

Is Edinburgh or Nantes Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Nantes is a very popular place for times when you don't have a car. Also, Edinburgh is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Public transit in Nantes can get you to some places easily. There are both trams and buses throughout the city that are operated by TAN (Transport de l'Agglomeration Nantaise).

You'll find some public transit in Edinburgh, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Buses are the best way to get into town from the outer edges if you don't have a car.

Is Edinburgh or Nantes a more walkable city?

Edinburgh is an unbeatable place for its ease of walking around. Also, Nantes is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Edinburgh. The Old Town in particular is fun to walk around

Nantes is very walkable. The city is very walkable. Both locals and tourists alike choose to walk in Nantes.

For even more information, also check out Is Edinburgh Worth Visiting? and Is Nantes Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Nantes or Edinburgh?

How long in Edinburgh or Nantes?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Edinburgh and Nantes. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Edinburgh than in Nantes. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Edinburgh, and 2-3 days is enough time in Nantes.

Families should spend more time in Edinburgh than Nantes. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Edinburgh, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Edinburgh than Nantes. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Edinburgh that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Edinburgh than Nantes if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Edinburgh.

One day in Edinburgh or Nantes?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the quaint destination of Edinburgh. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Nantes. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Edinburgh or Nantes?

Edinburgh is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the welcoming destination of Nantes. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Edinburgh or Nantes?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Edinburgh. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the vibrant city of Nantes. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Most people head to the area for the food. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Edinburgh or Nantes?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the character-filled destination of Edinburgh. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Nantes is a popular choice for travelers. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Edinburgh, The Best 10-Day Tours from London, The Best 10-Day Tours in France, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Edinburgh and Nantes, we can see that Edinburgh is more expensive. And not only is Nantes much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Nantes would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nantes and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Edinburgh would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Edinburgh than you might in Nantes.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Edinburgh Expensive? and Is Nantes Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Edinburgh or Nantes?

Edinburgh has a larger population, and is about 57% larger than the population of Nantes. When comparing the sizes of Edinburgh and Nantes, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Edinburgh or Nantes?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Nantes in the Summer?

Both Nantes and Edinburgh are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Edinburgh for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Nantes because of the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Edinburgh is cooler than Nantes. Typically, the summer temperatures in Edinburgh in July average around 14°C (58°F), and Nantes averages at about 19°C (67°F).

It's quite sunny in Nantes. Edinburgh usually receives less sunshine than Nantes during summer. Edinburgh gets 163 hours of sunny skies, while Nantes receives 267 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Edinburgh usually receives more rain than Nantes. Edinburgh gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Nantes receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Nantes in the Autumn?

Both Nantes and Edinburgh during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Edinburgh because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Nantes this time of year.

In October, Edinburgh is generally cooler than Nantes. Daily temperatures in Edinburgh average around 10°C (49°F), and Nantes fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

In the autumn, Edinburgh often gets less sunshine than Nantes. Edinburgh gets 90 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nantes receives 141 hours of full sun.

Edinburgh usually gets less rain in October than Nantes. Edinburgh gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Nantes receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Nantes in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Edinburgh and Nantes. The museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine are the main draw to Edinburgh this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Nantes for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Edinburgh in the winter. Edinburgh is much colder than Nantes in the winter. The daily temperature in Edinburgh averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Nantes fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

Edinburgh usually receives less sunshine than Nantes during winter. Edinburgh gets 48 hours of sunny skies, while Nantes receives 72 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Edinburgh usually receives less rain than Nantes. Edinburgh gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Nantes receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Nantes in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Edinburgh as well as Nantes. Many travelers come to Edinburgh for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Nantes in the spring for the natural beauty.

In the spring, Edinburgh is much colder than Nantes. Typically, the spring temperatures in Edinburgh in April average around 7°C (45°F), and Nantes averages at about 11°C (51°F).

In the spring, Edinburgh often gets less sunshine than Nantes. Edinburgh gets 132 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nantes receives 187 hours of full sun.

Edinburgh usually gets less rain in April than Nantes. Edinburgh gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Nantes receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Nantes and Edinburgh